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What you need to know
What you need to know headlines with summaries.
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Productivity: What you need to know
24 Oct 2024We've heard a lot about productivity recently. But what is it, and why does it matter?
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Job cuts barely make a dent in public service bill
17 Oct 2024Explainer - Thousands of jobs have been cut but it's a drop in the bucket of the overall expenses.
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Can the govt step in to take control over Wellington City Council?
16 Oct 2024Explainer - The government says it's prepared to intervene if needed, but what is allowed under law, and how bad is it?
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The rise of remote work: What you need to know
10 Oct 2024The number of people working mostly from home is up 60 percent on 2018 according to the latest census.
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What is hurricane season and why is it so dangerous?
10 Oct 2024Milton is the latest hurricane to strike Florida, coming just weeks after deadly Helene. But why now? Here's what you need to know.
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What is the 'Electoral College' and why will it decide the US election?
9 Oct 2024Explainer - You're probably hearing an awful lot about the Electoral College. But what is it? RNZ is here with a handy guide.
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Social Investment: What you need to know
1 Oct 2024It's Nicola Willis' passion project, set to be led by a former top cop. Here's what the Social Investment Agency is meant to do.
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The long and complicated history of the Dunedin Hospital rebuild
30 Sep 2024Dunedin Hospital has been a political football - arguably a hospital pass - for years. RNZ charts its history.
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End of Life Choice Act review: What you need to know
26 Sep 2024Explainer - The Health Ministry is reviewing New Zealand's assisted dying system. What do we know about how it's working so far?
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Explainer: What is a gang patch and what will happen when they are banned?
17 Sep 2024Police say gang patches are a license to print money. But what counts as gang insignia, and what will police be able to about them under the new law?
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What changes to homes' rateable values mean
18 Feb 2025Explainer - Many councils are in the process of updating rateable values. How is this done and what does it mean?
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Mpox: What you need to know
10 Sep 2024An infectious diseases specialist says the spread of mpox in New Zealand can be limited - if people are vigilant and follow public health measures.
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What gay and bisexual men need to know about mpox
8 Sep 2024A new outbreak of mpox is threatening New Zealand's queer community. Here's how to best protect yourself. Audio
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Should a five-year-old be able to count to 10 and accurately describe shapes?
6 Sep 2024This is what you need to know about the draft English and maths curriculums out for consultation.
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Covid vaccines and new variants: What you need to know
7 Sep 2024Different countries are using slightly different Covid vaccine - some newer than the ones available in NZ. Does that matter? Audio
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The power of school boards: What you need to know
5 Sep 2024Explainer - New Zealand has one of the most devolved education systems in the world. So what's the role of school boards?
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What happens now after Kiingi Tuheitia's death
30 Aug 2024The next week will be massive for Māoridom after the death of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Audio
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Who are the Comancheros?
30 Aug 2024The gang is a big deal in Australia, and has quickly grown in New Zealand with the arrival of 501 deportees.
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How Meta is using social media content to train AI
29 Aug 2024Explainer - Meta has been using New Zealanders' social media content to train its AI models since last year, at least. Is there any way to opt out?
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New rules 'tightening the gateway' into emergency housing
29 Aug 2024Explainer - The changes making it harder to get into emergency housing, and harder to stay in.
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Can New Zealand deal with the bird flu?
29 Aug 2024As cases mount overseas, NZ officials are bolstering their avian influenza plan. Here's what you need to know.
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Fast Track bill changes and how it will work: What you need to know
26 Aug 2024The government has back-tracked on contentious parts of legislation aimed at getting NZ "back on track". Here's what you need to know.
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Should we be concerned about Whakaari/White Island?
23 Aug 2024The volcano is going through an "extended active period". What does that mean?
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Mpox isn't the 'new Covid': What you need to know
22 Aug 2024Explainer - How would New Zealand respond to an mpox outbreak, and how dangerous is the virus? Here are all the details.
Top News stories
- 'This is not a recognition I carry alone' - Māori honoured in King's Birthday list
- King's Birthday Honours: Dai Henwood, Tim Southee and Jude Dobson among those recognised
- Ukraine conducts ‘large-scale’ operation targeting Russian airbases, security source says
- These Pacific Islands are building walls to stop rising seas. Will it work?
- 'Outspoken' former All Black Murray Mexted recognised in King's Birthday Honours
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